Flexible conveyer



Sept. l, 1931. ca. D. JoNEs 1,821,644-

I v FLEXIBLE coNvEYER Filed Jan. 2o, 1928 7 sheets-sheen 1 ATTQRNEY Sept, 1, 1931; GL D. JoNEs d FLEXIBLE coNvEYER Filed- Jan. 20, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet Z ATTORN EY Sept'll, 1931. G. p. JoNl-:s '1,821,644

FLEXIBLE coNvEYER Filed Jan. 20, 1928 `'l' Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORN EY Sept. l, 1931. G. D. JONES! FLEXIBLE CONVEYER .Filed Jan. 20. 192e 7 Smets-sheet 4 r NB.

Jfzegmm ATTORNEY G. D'. JONES FLEXIBLE coNvEYER' Filed Jan. 2U, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet .5

` ATTORNEY Sept. l, 1931.

Sept. i931. G. D. JONES FLEXIBLE CONVEYER Filed Jan. 2o, 192s 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORN EY Sept. l, 1931.

G. DQ JONES FLEXIBLE CONVEYER Filed Jan. 20, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 farzegrwma im ATTORN EY ifeaaa sepf- 1a 193i GwiLYivrlnJoNiEs, or oei; CREEK, cotonano, assrennjor cnn-rmtrro BEJAM w. suoneness, ornniwnn, coLoReno f v till , vconveyed.

i FLEXIBLE conversie Application alega January a0, 1928. serial vNo. 248,195.

lily present invention'has reference to a material conveyer designed primarily for use in coal mines but also susceptible for' use in other connections where material is to be rlhe primary object of the invention is the f provision of' a lflexible conveyerthat is cable driven in a lmanner toimpart a simultaneous rapid or violentv jerking movement to the -fcoiweyer in `one direction to cause" the material thereon to be bodily mov-eo tnereover in anoutward direction and to likewise impart a comparatively slow jerkingvmovement to the con'veye'r to return the same to starting position. f i K y A further object is the provision ot a conveyer for this purpose in whichthe flights constituting the said conveyer may be arranged at desired angles with respect to each other. so that the receiving end of the con'- veyer may be conveniently arranged for the reception ot material, and in which simple but novel means is provided for associating the iiights of the conveyer and also in which means is provided for imparting a 4continuons but intermittent motion to the'conveyers, such motion being rapid and violent when the conveyers are movedV in delivery direction to impart a shoving or pushing ,action to .the material therein, and being kslouv and steady 1n the return of the conveyors to their initial positions to prevent the material trom slidingor moving rbackwards thereon. Y

A still Jfurther object is the provision of a material conveyer that is madeup of iihts to provide a main conveyer, all of such conveyers being cable driven, while a single operating means is provided for activ ating all of the conveyers.

The invention will be fully and compre-` hensively understood from a consideration of the followingk detailed 'description when read in connection with the accompanying draw "s which form part of thek application. with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the Vexact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes yand modilications 'may be made therefrom as do not aiiect the 'spirit ofy the invention nor exceed the scopethereof yas expressed in the appended claims.Y ln' the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvement'in appliedposition in fa coal Inine`.``

Y :Figure 2 is a sectional viewapproximately on the line 22 of Figure 1. Y A Figure Sfis aplan view/to illustrate the connected or associated Ypans or flights of the conveyer.` f i :Figure l is 'a sectional view onthe line lqill of. Figure 3.V 1 'f Figure ,5. is a sectional view approximately on the line -of Figure V1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view approximately on the "line G--6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view through 'one of the pans or flights. Figure 8 is a plan viewillustratingthe manner in which the operating cable maybe lresiliently connected to one of the ights. Figure 9 is a planvview of the operating mechanism i'or the conveyers, withthe housing therefor in section.

Figure l0 is a sectional view to illustrate the manner in which the jack between the floor `and roof of a mine is employedVV as a bearing element'tor the crossed arms or bell cranks of the improvement.

Y Figure 11 is. a-sectiorial View approximateL ly on the line -ll'f-ll of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view to illustrate theV arrangement ofthe pans or flights beyond one of the headsheave Wheels and pipe jack or brace. Y i

Figure 13 is' a plan view thereof, the pipe jack or brace liavingits upper portion in section. i p Figure 14 is an under face view of the con,- fronting ends'of two ofthe ypans or flights to more clearly illustratethe 'manner in which thecable is secured'thereon and whereby said cable connects the pansor flights. i

Figure 15 is a sectional view approximatef ly on the line 15-15 of Figure 14 but showing the device in its normali upright position.

Figure 16 is a sectional view approximate- 1y on the line 16-16 of Figure 14, the parts being in upright position.

Figure 17 is an inverted plan view looking toward the confronting ends of two of the pans or flights and illustrating the manner in which these pans or flights are connected to'permit cf the same being rolled or otherwise moved in unison to a desired place in the mine.

Figure 18 is a sectional view approximately on the line 18-18 of Figure 17, with the device in its normal or upright position.

Figure 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of Figure 17, with the device arranged as disclosed by Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a modification substantially similar to Fig. 12.

Figure 21 is a transverse sectional view therethrough.

Figure 22 is a section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21.

Figure 23 is a detail view to illustrate the socket connection with the shafts of the fli hts.

n the showing of the drawings, I have illustrated my improvement in connection with a coal mine, the main passage of which is indicated by the numeral 1, the rooms which communicate with the passage by the numerals 2 and the spur with the track for the mine car 3, by the numeral 4.

As disclosed especially by Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings I employ a main or receiving conveyer which is arranged in the main passage 1 and auxiliary or branch conveyers which are arranged in the rooms 2 and which deliver onto the main conveyer. The main conveyer has its delivery end arranged over the mine car 3. and in order to elevate this'end of the said main conveyer I secure on the floor of the main passage 1 an inclined frame 5 who-se side walls receive the conveyer therebetween. All of the conveyers are made up of flights of comparatively thin metal and each flight is preferably lof the same length. As disclosed by Figure 6 cf the drawings, the flights 6 may be downwardlybulged longitudinally and the ends thereof are rounded downwardly, as at 7. If preferred, however, the Vbottom of the flights may be flat, as indicated by the numeral 8 in Figure 7 and the edges thereof curved or rounded, as at 9. Of course, I do not wish to be restricted to theprecise constructicn of flights as disclosed in the said Figures 6 and 7 but I have found that by rounding or beading the edges of the flights the same are materially strengthened so that a metal of a comparatively small weight and thickness'may be successfully employed.

Each flight or'pan, adjacent to one of its ends, is depressed on its under face to form a lip 10 which is arranged in lapping relation over the end of the cooperating flight.

Preferably the under faces of each of the pan-like flights, at the non-lipped ends thereof have fixed thereto transversely arranged axles 11 which are preferably rectangular in cross section, but which have rounded ends on which are journaled wheels or rollers 12. Each ofthe flights, adjacent to its lipped end has centrally secured on the under face thereof a substantially U-shaped bloclr 13. One of the depending flanges of each of the blocks is formed with a central inwardly projecting rounded extension or lug 13 and the inner face of the said projection is centrally formed with a centrally disposed longitudinally arranged depression 14. The second depending iortion of each of the substantially U-shaped blocks 13 is straight throughout and provides what I will term a lip 13". Screwed through suitable threaded openings in the lip 13 there are bolt members 14. These bolts preferably have their ends swivelly received in the outer faces of clamping blocks 15. Each clamping block has its active face centrally formed with a rounded depression or concavity, and the said active face of each of the clamping blocks 15 is formed with a longitudinally extending rounded depression 15 which is disposed opposite the continuous groove or depression 14 in the first mentioned depending portion or flange of the block 13. This depending portion of the block provides a jaw element and the clamping block 15 provides a cooperating jaw element and between these elements there is designed to be firmly clamped cables 16. The cables 1G, it will be noted flexibly connect and associate the flights.

The cables for the receiving or branch conveyers are unwound from suitable drums or spools 17 and are from thence directed around sheave wheels 18 that are suitably secured in the rooms 2, the second lead of the cables being connected to'the flights of the conveyers in a manner as above described. Both leads of the cables for the receiving conveyers are attached to the oppositely directed arms of what I will term, bell crankl levers 19. The means 20, which attaches the leads of the cables to the bell crank levers 19 are preferably in the nature of clamps substantially similar to those previously described and the movable jaw members thereof, when released from binding engagementagainst the bell crank levers and the cables, permit the said cables being lengthened or shortened when flights are to be added to the conveyers or flights detached therefrom. In this manner it will be noted that the receiving or auxiliary conveyers may be of different desired lengths to accord with the depth of the rooms in which the conveyers are arranged. Tlie flights of the conveyers may be arranged angularly with respect to cach other. by simply arranging the sheave wheels 18. at a desired angle in a room 2 and by anting` or arranging one or more of the flights at an angle with respect to the remaining flights. illustrated by the intermediate auxiliary or receiving conveyer in Figure 1 of the draw ings.V lVhen so arranged both of the leadsl for thev conveyer are trained around suitablel grooved guides or sheaves 21. e

The cable for the flights of the main conveyer is preferably continuous or endless and is trainedaround hea-d sheave wheels 22, respectively, suitably journaled adjacent to the inner andou'ter ends of thefpassage lJ ,The leads of the cable for the main conveyer are connected to arms ofbellV crank levers 28 whichare arranged angularly kwith respect to the arms of the bell crank levers19 and which are disposed directly below -the said bell crank levers 1'9, and which likewise have their hubs integrally formed with the hubs of the'said-bell crank levers 19. Thus it will be noted that the bell crank levers 19 and 23 are integrally connected at the'center thereof. The connected "pairs of bell crank levers 19 and 23 are journaled on the tubular body portions 24 ofA screw jacks 25, the hubs of the said bell crank levers resting on :the base of the body 24. The screw jacks are operated by the usual 'hand-les and in addition to providing journals for the bell crank levers, the sai ackss'upport the roofs of the rooms and passages. In this connection it ymay -be stated that the guide or sheave wheels for the cables of the auxiliary conveyers vmay vbe jou-rnaled upon similar jacks.- i

Bv 'reference to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be seen that the flights at the delivery ends of the receiving or auxiliary conveyer are vdisposed over the flights of the main conf veyer and the conveyers are all simultaneously operated by a single motor 26 which is -diagrammatically illustrated in Figures l and 2 of thedrawings. YThe shaft of the motor imparts a rotary motion to a pinion 27. The pinion is in mesh with the toothed wheel 28. VThe pinion and toothed wheel are enclosed in a suitable casing 29, the shafts for the said wheels being, of course, suitably journaled in the casing. Fixed in the casing 29-there is one end of an angularly arranged angle bracket 30. This bracket is provided with 'a plurality of spaced apertures 31. Received kthrough any one of these apertures there is a pivot element 32 for a rocker arm 33. The rocker arm is provided with an elongated slot 34 and fixed on the toothed wheel 28 there is a stub shaft having anv outer removable headed portion 35, the said stub shaft passing through the slot 34j in the rocker arm 33. The outer or free end of the rocker arm passesthrough an elongated slot or opening 36 in one of theV sides of the housing 29, and the outer end :of .the said arm is ixedly secured `to one ofthe leads of the con- This construction is best f tinuous operating cable for the veyer..

When the motor is in operation the pinion main con-Y 27 will impart a rotary motion to the toothed Y. e

wheel 28, and this wheel, through the medium ofits stub shaft playing in the slot 34 of the rocker arm 33, will impart a swinging motion to the said rocker arm. The stub shaft .35 is arranged close to the periphery of the toothed wheel 28, so that the rocker arm will be given a rapid swinging motion iny one direction'and a slow return swinging in an' opposite direction. This alternate rapid y.and slow swinging of the rocker arm Y will imparta like movementto the arms of thetbell crank lever 22 to which the Acable of Tn Figure 8 of the drawings Ihave illustrated acable for one of the auxiliary con-I veyers wound around a' suit-able drum ybut having one of its leads connected by achain 37, which in turn is connected to one arm of a bell` crank leverSS, the second arm of the said lever being connected to the cable 39 for the main conveyer. The first mentioned cable is indicated for distinction by the numeral 40 and is trained aroundl the sheave or like wheel 41 and likewise trained beneath the flights of the auxiliary conveyer andis not attached to said flights. The floorof the mine has pivotally secured thereon a hook member 42 which is rengaged by one end of a helical spring 43, the second end of the spring being securedto the lead of the cable 40 directed beneath the Fiights'of the auxiliary conveyer. In this instance, the spring 43 imparts the desired rapid and jerking motion to the auxiliary conveyer andinoves the same in a delivery direction.

In Figures 12 and 13 I have illustrated the manner in which the head sheave wheels 22 are journaled and supported. Each of the wheels 22 has the ends of its shaft journaled in bearing openings in the yoke 44, and each yoke has connected thereto a threadedrod 45. This rod, together with the second rod 46 that-has a different hand 'pitch from that of the rod 45 is engaged by a turn-buckle`47.

HTS

Each of the rods 46 has an eye end 47l that receives therethrough the .hollow member 48, of a pipe jack. The solid member 49 of the jack is threaded and is screwed in thethreaded b'oreof member 48. The member 4S '.is

forcedinto the ground or floor of the mine and the member 49 is forced against the ceiling of the mine, and in this manner the sheave Wheels 22 are'effectively but adjustably supported from the jacks.

By mounting the wheels or rollers adjacent one end of each of the flights it will be apparent that the flights when canted from their opposite ends maybe easily pushed or rolled and thereby conveniently conveyed to desired places in the mine. To connect a number of the flights and to move the same as a unit, prior to the connection of the operating cables therewith, I employ the means disclosed in Figures 17 to 19. In these figures it will be seen that an eye bolt 50 is passed through the grooves of the clamping elements on the flight-s', one end of the said eye bolt being engaged by a nut 5l and the eye end thereof having passed therethrough and received therein the central portieri of a. substantially V-shaped rod 52. rlhe ends of the rod 52 are bent upon themselves to provide hoch.,y to engage both the top and sides of the axle of the flight to be connected to the flight to'which the eye bolt is temporarily attached. By this arrangement it will be apparent that a large number of connected flights may be bodily rolled to desired positions, and thereafter the eye bolts and hook carrying rods 52 detached and the operating cables arranged between the clamping jaws of the flights in a manne-r as previously, described.

It is desirable to arrange flights beyond the head sheaves 22, and also beyond the inner end flights for the delivery conveyers. In this connection it may ybe stated that the inner sheave for the delivery conveyors ispreferably supported in a similar manner to the head sheaves 22. lVhen flights are to be added I clamp, as at 54, upon the inner leads of the operating cables, that is the leads of the cables beneath the flights, one end of an auxiliary cable 55, and this cable .is clamped and firmly secured to the added flights in a manner as previously described.

It will be apparent that the flexible connection between the flights of the conveyers' allows the said conveyers to be successfully ope 'ated upon uneven mine floors.

The construction and advantages of my improvement will, it is thought, be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art to which such invention relates when the foregoing description has been carefully read in connection with the accompanying drawings so that a further detailed description is not believed necessary.

In VFigures 21 to 23 I have illustrated a means whereby the flights may be suspended for swinging movement in the rooms of a mine. In these figures I arrange between the floorand top of mine rooms posts 55 that` are wedged` against and secured to beams 56 on the roof of a mine room. These posts or standards are arranged 1n ropposite pairs and have secured on one of their faces clips 57 and similar bearings for rods 58. Each rod 58 has connected thereto and depending therefrom a chain or like flexible element 59. TWhen the flexible elements are in the nature of cords or cables, adjustable clamping means (i0 are secured between the looped strands that are arranged around the rods 58 and when the flexible elements are in the nature of chains, the end of the chain that is looped around the rod 58 is provided with a hook 61 to engage with -one of the links of the chain. In both instances will be noted that the flexible elements are adjustably but swin'gably supported on the cross sectionallv rounded bars or rods 58. The second or lower end of each of the flexible elements is looped and'received through an eye 62 and the lower ends of these elements are connected by ladjustable means 63. lThe eyes 62 pass through openings in the flattened ends 64 of socket members 65. The socket members receive therein the outer ends of the shafts for the flights. In this instance the outer ends of the axles have openings tnerethrough to aline with similar openings in. the sockets G5, it being understood that the rollers are removed from the shafts, and passing through 'these alining openings there are sustaining elements, such as Cotter pins 56. The flights may be connected by the rods 52, and the flights beyond the head sheave may be supported on the rollers as heretofore described.v

The operation is similar to that previously set forth, the only difference being that the flights are suspended for swinging movement by the flexible supporting elements therefor.

Having described therinvention, I claim:

l. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated means for carrying and conveying material, said means comprising a series of flights, means for supporting said carrying means and movable over the surface of the ground, and flexible means extending along said conveyer and flights and connected at intervals to each of said flights for longitudinally moving said conveying means and said supporting means.

2. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying materials, said conveyor comprising a series of flights, means at the end portions of said flights for supporting the same and movable over the surface of the ground, and means including a flexible means extending along said conveyer and connected at intervals to each of said flights for longitudinally moving said flights and supporting means, whereby said material isprogressively moved forwardly.

3. 4A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of flights, Said flights overlapping, m-eans for supporting said overlapped ends of said flights and movable over the surface of the ground, flexible means attached to said flights, and means connected to said flexible means for longitudinally moving said flights violently in a forward direction and to return them comparatively slowly to their starting position.

4. A conveyer'mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and con- Veying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of flights, each flight having a lipped end portion adapted to receive an end of an adjacent flight, flexible means connecting said flights, means for supporting said flights and movable over the surface of the ground, and means including said flexible means for longitudinally moving said flights violently in a forward direction and to return them comparatively slowly to their starting position.

5. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of flights, eac-h flight having a lipped end portion adapted to receive an end of an adjacent flight, a cable extending longitudinally of said conveyer and connected to each of said flights, means for supporting said flights and movable over the surface of the ground, and means connected to said cable for longitudinally moving said ights and said supporting means for progressively moving the material forwardly. Y

6. A conveyer mechanism comprising a series of elongated conveyer sections for carrying and conveying materials, axles spaced along said conveyer and transversely thereof, rollers journalled on said axles and adapted to move said conveyer over the surface of the ground, and flexible meansv connected to each of said sections for longitudinally moving said conveying means on said rollers.

7. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of flights, each flight having alipped end portion adapted Vto receive an end of an adjacent flight, an axle transversely of each kflight and supporting the other end of said flight, rollers journalled on each axle and adapted to move said flight over the sui'- face of thel ground, and means including flexible means connected to said flights for longitudinally moving said flights violently in a forward direction and to return them comparatively slowly to their starting position.

8. A conveyer mechanism comprising an 'elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying material, said conveyerk comprising a series of flights, each flight having a lipped end portion adapted to receive kan end of an adjacent flight, flexible meansl connected to 'each'A of" said flights,` an axial transversely of each: of said flights-and connectedithereto, rollers journalled on said axles Vand adapted tomove said flightsv over' the surface ofgthe ground, and meansconnected to said flexible means for longitudinally moving said-flights violently ink a forward direction andv toreturny them' comparatively slowly totheir starting position.

rflio'hts'violently ina forward direction and to'return; them comparatively slowly to their starting position.

10. A conveyer mechanism comprising Van elongated conveyer for carrying materials, saidconveyer comprising a series of flights, each of said flights having a lipped end portionadapted to receive'an end ofan adjacent flight, flexible means connected tothe lipped endy portion of Veachof said flights, an axle transversely of each of said flights and supporting the other endof said flight, rollers jourgnalled on' said axles and adapted to move saidv flights over the surface of the ground, and means connected to said` flexible means for longitudinally moving said flights violently in a forward direction and to return them comparatively slowly to their starting position.

l1. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying andV conveying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of flights,.each of said nights having: a

lipped end. portion adapted to receive an end of anl adjacent flight,` an axle transversely .of each'of said flightsv and supporting the other endV of said flight, rollersjournalled on said axles and adapted" to move said flights over the., surface. of the-ground, and meansv connected to the lipped end ofY each of saidflights and adapted yto engage kthe axle off` each adjacent flight for holding the nected to eachV of said flights for simultaneously moving said carrying means for progressively moving the materialY forwardly. Y

13. `A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated receiving conveyer and delivery conveyers extending laterally to said receiving eonveyer, said conveyors each comprising a series of iights, means for supporting said flights and movable over the surface of the ground, flexible means connected to each of said flights, and means including said flexible means for simultaneously moving the flights of said receiving and delivery conveyers violently in a forward directionV and toi return them comparatively slowly to their starting position for progressively moving the material'toward the discharge end of the receiving conveyer.

14. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated: receiving conveyer and delivery conveyers extending laterally to said receiving conveyer, each of said conveyers comprising a series of flights, rollermeans for supporting said fiights and movable over the surface of the ground, cables connected to the Flights ofrsaid conveyors` means connected to the cable of said receiving conveyer for moving the flights of said conveyor violently in a forward direction and to return them comparatively slowly to their starting posi-Y tion` and bell cranks at the junctionrof said receiving conveyer and delivery conyeyers,

said cranks having arms connected'to their;

driving cables of said'receivingconveyers and larms connected to the cable connected to said delivery conveyers, said cranks simultaneously transferring movements in the receiving conveyer to the delivery 'conveyers.. c Y

1,5. In a conveyer mechanismfa conveyor for carrying material, a driving mechanism comprising a driven Wheel, a stub shaft mounted adjacent to the periphery of said wheel, a slotted rocker arm engaging the stub shaft, said arm connected to a cable connected to said conveyer, said arm adapted to rock as said wheel is rotated to impart to the cablea Violent movement in a for-YV ward direction and a comparatively slow movement in the reverse direction.

16. A conveyer mechanism comprising an elongated conveyer for carrying and conveying materials, said conveyer comprising a series of fiights, a cable extending longitudinally of said conveyer and connected at intervals to said flights, and means including said cablefor longitudinally moving said flights violently in a forward direction and return themr comparatively slowly to their starting position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GWILYM D. J QNES. Y 

